Secondary Menu

Post navigation

One reason we don’t recommend DIY painting is because homeowners are often unaware of the complex preparation that goes into the process. Lack of preparation can lead to all sorts of quality issues down the road. One such issue is paint blisters, which tend to appear not long after applying the final paint coat.

What Are Paint Blisters?

Paint blisters are small bubbles that appear when a portion of the paint detaches from the coating beneath it. This creates a protrusion similar in appearance to a blister that appears on your skin, hence the name. Paint blisters can occur in both interior and exterior paint jobs. However, it’s more common among the latter due to the weather exposure.

What Causes Them?

Paint blisters are caused by moisture and are common in basements and other high-humidity areas. The blisters are a sign that the surface wasn’t adequately dried before being painted. This is why timing is important. Painting in a cold morning, or immediately before or after a rain can leave behind blisters and other blemishes.

Blisters may also appear when painting during hot weather. Under warm temperatures, the upper paint layer dries more quickly. This may trap and vaporize the solvent, which in turn, expands in volume until a blister forms.

The following conditions also elevate the risk of paint blisters:

Using acrylic or latex paint

Priming and painting over a wall without pressure washing it first

Painting over a wall covered in oil-based paint

Paint Your Home this Summer

Our tip? Bring in a professional painter if you’re planning a summer renovation. Too many factors exist that can result in a blister. JA Seekins Painting knows the exact steps to take to prevent these kinds of blemishes. We can also restore surfaces with existing paint blisters.